Pile your plate with these nutrition superstars

The following healthy power foods can claim big bragging rights: They can fend off serious diseases like diabetes, cancer, and heart disease; fortify your immune system; protect and smooth your skin; and help you lose weight or stay slim. If you're eating most of these healthy foods already, good for you! If not, now's the time to load up your shopping cart and supercharge your health.

Egg yolks are home to tons of essential but hard-to-get nutrients, including choline, which is linked to lower rates of breast cancer (one yolk supplies 25% of your daily need) and antioxidants that may help prevent macular degeneration and cataracts. Though many of us have shunned whole eggs because of their link to heart disease risk, there’s actually substantial evidence that for most of us, eggs are not harmful but healthy. People with heart disease should limit egg yolks to two a week, but the rest of us can have one whole egg daily; research shows it won’t raise your risk of heart attack or stroke. Make omelets with one whole egg and two whites, and watch cholesterol at other meals.

Yogurt is a great way to get calcium, and it’s also rich in immune-boosting bacteria. But next time you hit the yogurt aisle, pick up the Greek kind—compared with regular yogurt, it has twice the protein (and 25% of women over 40 don’t get enough). Look for fat-free varieties like Oikos Organic Greek Yogurt (90 calories and 15 g of protein per 5.3-ounce serving).

Yes, it does a body good: Studies show that calcium isn’t just a bone booster but a fat fighter too. Recent research from the University of Tennessee found that obese people who went on a low-calorie, calcium-rich diet lost 70% more weight than those who ate the least. Vitamin D not only allows your body to absorb calcium, it’s also a super nutrient in its own right. Research shows that adequate D levels can reduce heart disease risk, ward off certain types of cancer, relieve back pain, and even help prevent depression, but most of us don’t get nearly enough of the 1,000+ IU daily that most experts recommend. A splash of milk in your morning coffee isn’t enough to provide the calcium and vitamin D you need. Use milk instead of water to make your oatmeal, have a glass with breakfast, or stir some chocolate syrup into it for an after-dinner treat.

Salmon is a rich source of vitamin D and one of the best sources of omega-3s you can find. These essential fatty acids have a wide range of impressive health benefits—from preventing heart disease to smoothing your skin and aiding weight loss to boosting your mood and minimizing the effects of arthritis. Unfortunately, many Americans aren’t reaping these perks because we’re deficient, which some experts believe may be at the root of many of the big health problems today, like obesity, heart disease, and cancer. Omega-3s also slow the rate of digestion, which makes you feel fuller longer, so you eat fewer calories throughout the day.

Lean beef is one of the best-absorbed sources of iron there is. (Too-little iron can cause anemia.) Adding as little as 1 ounce of beef per day can make a big difference in the body’s ability to absorb iron from other sources, says Mary J. Kretsch, PhD, a researcher at the USDA-ARS Western Human Nutrition Research Center in Davis, CA. Beef also packs plenty of zinc (even minor deficiencies may impair memory) and B vitamins, which help your body turn food into energy.

If you can, splurge on grass-fed. Compared with grain-fed beef, it has twice the concentration of vitamin E, a powerful brain-boosting antioxidant. It’s also high in omega-3 fatty acids. Because this type of beef tends to be lower in overall fat, it can be tough—so marinate it, and use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking.

It’s hard to imagine a more perfect food than beans. One cooked cupful can provide as much as 17 g fiber. They're also loaded with protein and dozens of key nutrients, including a few most women fall short on—calcium, potassium, and magnesium. Studies tie beans to a reduced risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and breast and colon cancers. The latest dietary guidelines recommend consuming at least 3 cups of beans a week—3 times the measly 1 cup we usually get. Keep your cupboards stocked with all kinds: black, white, kidney, fat-free refried, etc. Use them in salads, stuffed baked potatoes, and veggie chili or pureed for sandwich spreads.

In a nutshell: USDA researchers say that eating 1½ ounces of tree nuts daily can reduce your risk of heart disease and diabetes. Walnuts are rich in omega-3s. Hazelnuts contain arginine, an amino acid that may lower blood pressure. An ounce of almonds has as many heart-healthy polyphenols as a cup of green tea and 1/2 cup of steamed broccoli combined; they may help lower LDL cholesterol as well. The key is moderation, since nuts are high in calories. Keep a jar of chopped nuts in your fridge, and sprinkle a tablespoon on cereal, salads, stir-fries, or yogurt. Or have an ounce as a snack most days of the week.

Soy’s days as a cure-all may be over, but edamame still has an important place on your plate. Foods such as tofu, soy milk, and edamame help fight heart disease when they replace fatty meats and cheeses, slashing saturated fat intake. Soy also contains heart-healthy polyunsaturated fats, a good amount of fiber, and some important vitamins. Soy’s isoflavones, or plant estrogens, may also help prevent breast cancer. Some researchers believe these bind with estrogen receptors, reducing your exposure to the more powerful effects of your own estrogen, says Prevention advisor Andrew Weil, MD. But stick with whole soy foods rather than processed foods, like patties or chips, made with soy powder. Don’t take soy supplements, which contain high and possibly dangerous amounts of isoflavones.

Fiber-rich oats are even healthier than the FDA thought when it first stamped them with a heart disease-reducing seal 10 years ago. According to recent research, they can also cut your risk of type 2 diabetes. When Finnish researchers tracked 4,316 men and women over the course of 10 years, they found that people who ate the highest percentage of cereal fiber were 61% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes. To reap the benefits, eat 1/2 cup daily—preferably unsweetened. For a versatile breakfast, top with different combinations of fruit, yogurt, and nuts. You can also use oats to coat fish or chicken or add texture to meatballs.

Flaxseed is the most potent plant source of omega-3 fats. Studies indicate that adding flaxseed to your diet can reduce the development of heart disease by 46%—it helps keep red blood cells from clumping together and forming clots that can block arteries. It may also reduce breast cancer odds. In one study, women who ate 10 g of flaxseed (about 1 rounded tablespoon) every day for 2 months had a 25% improvement in the ratio of breast cancer-protective to breast cancer-promoting chemicals in their blood. Sprinkle 1 to 2 tablespoons of flaxseed a day on your cereal, salad, or yogurt. Buy it preground, and keep it refrigerated.

Olive oil is full of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats (MUFAs), which lower "bad" LDL cholesterol and raise "good" HDL cholesterol. It’s rich in antioxidants, which may help reduce the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases, like Alzheimer’s. Look for extra virgin oils for the most antioxidants and flavor. Drizzle small amounts on veggies before roasting; use it to sauté or stir-fry, in dressings and marinades, and to flavor bread at dinner in lieu of a layer of butter or margarine.

These smooth, buttery fruits are a great source of not only MUFAs but other key nutrients as well. One Ohio State University study found that when avocado was added to salads and salsa, it helped increase the absorption of specific carotenoids, plant compounds linked to lower risk of heart disease and macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness. "Avocados are packed with heart-protective compounds, such as soluble fiber, vitamin E, folate, and potassium," says Elizabeth Somer, RD, author of 10 Habits That Mess Up a Woman's Diet. But they are a bit high in calories. To avoid weight gain, use avocado in place of another high-fat food or condiment, such as cheese or mayo. (Make the most of your avocado with these 29 delicious avocado recipes.)

Pick any life-threatening disease—cancer, heart disease, you name it—and eating more broccoli and its cruciferous cousins may help you beat it, Johns Hopkins research suggests. Averaging just four weekly servings of veggies like broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower slashed the risk of dying from any disease by 26% among 6,100 people studied for 28 years. For maximum disease-fighting benefits, whip out your old veggie steamer. It turns out that steaming broccoli lightly releases the maximum amount of sulforaphane.

We’ll spare you the Popeye jokes, but spinach has serious health muscles. For one thing, it contains lots of lutein, the sunshine-yellow pigment found in egg yolks. Aside from guarding against age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness, lutein may prevent heart attacks by keeping artery walls clear of cholesterol. Spinach is also rich in iron, which helps deliver oxygen to your cells for energy, and folate, a B vitamin that prevents birth defects. Cook frozen spinach leaves (they provide more iron when cooked than raw) and serve as a side dish with dinner a few times a week.

Tomatoes are our most common source of lycopene, an antioxidant that may protect against heart disease and breast cancer. The only problem with tomatoes is that we generally eat them in the form of sugar-loaded jarred spaghetti sauce or as a thin slice in a sandwich. For a healthier side dish idea, quarter plum tomatoes and coat with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Roast in a 400°F oven for 20 minutes, and serve with chicken. (Also try these 17 tempting tomato recipes!)

One of the best ways to get vitamin A—an essential nutrient that protects and maintains eyes, skin, and the linings of our respiratory, urinary, and intestinal tracts—is from foods containing beta-carotene, which your body converts into the vitamin. Beta carotene-rich foods include carrots, squash, kale, and cantaloupe, but sweet potatoes have among the most. A half-cup serving of these sweet spuds delivers only 130 calories but 80% of the DV of vitamin A. Replace tonight’s fries with one medium baked sweet potato (1,096 mcg) and you’re good to go—and then some.

Garlic is a flavor essential and a health superstar in its own right. The onion relative contains more than 70 active phytochemicals, including allicin, which studies show may decrease high blood pressure by as much as 30 points. High consumption of garlic lowered rates of ovarian, colorectal, and other cancers, according to a research review in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Allicin also fights infection and bacteria. British researchers gave 146 people either a placebo or a garlic extract for 12 weeks; garlic takers were two-thirds less likely to catch a cold. The key to healthier garlic: Crush the cloves, and let them stand for up to 30 minutes before heating them, which activates and preserves the heart-protecting compounds, according to a 2007 study from Argentina.

Citrus fruits get all the credit for vitamin C, but red peppers are actually the best source. Vitamin C may be best known for skin and immunity benefits. Researchers in the United Kingdom looked at vitamin C intake in 4,025 women and found that those who ate more had less wrinkling and dryness. And although getting enough vitamin C won’t prevent you from catching a cold or flu, studies show that it could help you recover faster. Vitamin C has other important credentials, too. Finnish researchers found that men with low levels were 2.4 times likelier to have a stroke, and Australian scientists recently discovered that the antioxidant reduces knee pain by protecting your knees against arthritis.

When you think of potassium-rich produce, figs probably don’t come to mind, but you may be surprised to learn that six fresh figs have 891 mg of the blood pressure-lowering mineral, nearly 20% of your daily need—and about double what you’d find in one large banana. In a recent 5-year study from the Netherlands, high-potassium diets were linked with lower rates of death from all causes in healthy adults age 55 and older. Figs are one of the best fruit sources of calcium, with nearly as much per serving (six figs) as 1/2 cup of fat-free milk. Serve by chopping and adding to yogurt, cottage cheese, oatmeal, or green salads. Or enjoy them as a savory snack: Cut a slit in the side and stuff with 1/2 teaspoon of a low-fat version of a soft cheese such as chevre or Brie.

Blueberries may very well be the most potent age-defying food—they’re jam-packed with antioxidants. When researchers at Cornell University tested 25 fruits for these potent compounds, they found that tangy-sweet wild blueberries (which are smaller than their cultivated cousins) packed the most absorbable antioxidants. Research shows a diet rich in blueberries can help with memory loss, prevent urinary tract infections, and relieve eyestrain. Add up to 1/2 cup of blueberries to your diet a day for maximum health benefits, recommends Ronald Prior, PhD, adjunct professor of food science at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. This alone provides just about double the amount of antioxidants most Americans get in 1 day. (Enjoy your berries even more with these 11 tasty blueberry recipes.)

One large Asian pear has a whopping 10 g of cholesterol-lowering fiber, about 40% of your daily need. People who ate the most fiber had the lowest total and LDL cholesterol levels, according to a recent study of Baltimore adults. The same researchers found that people who ate the most fiber also weighed the least and had the lowest body mass index and waist circumference. Serve by dicing it into a salad of Boston lettuce, crumbled goat cheese, walnuts, and mandarin oranges. Or make it a dessert: Add peeled and cored pears to a saucepan with 1 cup white wine, 1 teaspoon honey, 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger, and enough water to cover the pears. Cover and simmer 40 minutes or until pears are soft.

A French study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that lychee has the second-highest level of heart-healthy polyphenols of all fruits tested—nearly 15% more than the amount found in grapes (cited by many as polyphenol powerhouses). The compounds may also play an important role in the prevention of degenerative diseases such as cancer. Serve by peeling or breaking the outer covering just below the stem; use a knife to remove the black pit. Add to stir-fries or skewer onto chicken kebabs to add a sweet, grapelike flavor.

One of the healthiest fruits you should be eating is one you probably already are: the apple. The Iowa Women’s Health Study, which has been investigating the health habits of 34,000 women for nearly 20 years, named apples as one of only three foods (along with pears and red wine) that are most effective at reducing the risk of death from heart disease among postmenopausal women. Other massive studies have found the fruit to lower risk of lung cancer and type 2 diabetes—and even help women lose weight. In fact, one of the only things that could make an apple unhealthy is mixing it with sugar, flour, and butter and stuffing it into a mile-high pie. Instead, have one as an afternoon snack with a tablespoon of peanut butter, or add slices to sandwiches or salads.

Native to South America, this tropical fruit is an excellent source of skin-healing vitamin C, with 250% of your RDA per serving. One cup of guava has nearly 5 times as much C as a medium orange (377 mg versus 83 mg)—that’s more than 5 times your daily need. It’s also loaded with lycopene (26% more than a tomato), which may help lower your risk of heart disease. And according to research by microbiologists in Bangladesh, guava can even protect against foodborne pathogens such as Listeria and staph. You can buy guava juice, or simmer chunks in water as you would to make applesauce. Guava also makes a super smoothie: Blend 1/2 banana, 1/2 ripe guava, a handful of strawberries, 1/2 cup soy milk, and a few ice cubes. (Keep the blender going with 20 more super healthy smoothies.)

Thank you, dark chocolate, for making us feel good—not guilty—about dessert. Dark chocolate is filled with flavonoid antioxidants (more than 3 times the amount in milk chocolate) that keep blood platelets from sticking together and may even unclog your arteries.It may also help with weight loss by keeping you feeling full, according to a study from Denmark. Researchers gave 16 participants 100 g of either dark or milk chocolate and 2 hours later offered them pizza. Those who consumed the dark chocolate ate 15% fewer calories than those who had milk chocolate, and they were less interested in fatty, salty, and sugary foods. Try a chocolate with 70% or more cocoa. Two tablespoons of dark chocolate chips with fresh berries as a midafternoon snack or after-dinner dessert should give you some of the heart-healthy benefits without busting your calorie budget.

Packed with antioxidant compounds, pomegranates have long been linked to both heart and brain health. Newer research explains why: One study found pomegranate polyphenols help your arteries expand and contract to manage blood flow and prevent hardening. A separate study found the same antioxidants help ward off the type of inflammation that leads to Alzheimer’s disease. To get the most benefit, eat the fruit’s seeds and some of the pith. Both contain healthful compounds.

Good old bananas are loaded with potassium—a macronutrient that helps control your blood pressure and keeps your nervous system operating at peak efficiency. Potassium also lowers your risk for stroke, according to research from the FDA. But if you’re like most women, you’re consuming only half the potassium your body needs. One banana packs 450 mg—about 10% of your daily potassium target—as well as fiber to keep your digestive system running smoothly.

From bone-strengthening magnesium to immunity-boosting B6, peanut butter is loaded with many of the vitamins and minerals your body needs (but probably isn’t getting enough of). Its high fiber and protein content will keep you full for hours, and peanut butter is also a good source of monosaturated fats—proven to help you lose weight and ward off diabetes. Creamy’s fine, but the crunchy kind typically contains more fiber and less sugar. (Make the most of your pb with these 25 delicious peanut butter recipes.)

Packed with inflammation-fighting antioxidants that can help fend off health issues such as heart disease and depression, popcorn is also the only 100% unprocessed whole grain, meaning its one of the best snacks to help you meet your daily whole grain goals. The only caveat: The pre-bagged, microwaveable varieties are loaded with calories and chemicals. Buy unvarnished kernels and pop them yourself in a stove top popper. Olive or truffle oils are delicious, healthy substitutions for butter. (Find 26 tasty popcorn recipes with our handy Recipe Finder.)

These slippery gray miracles are nature’s champ when it comes to zinc, a mineral necessary for immune and DNA health, as well as fetal development. Oysters are also a rich source of iron—a nutrient many vegetable-centric eaters don’t get enough of. Too little iron can lead to red blood cell deficiencies, fatigue, headaches, and other ailments. Just 1 raw oyster contains nearly 3 milligrams of iron—or a sixth of your daily 18-mg goal.

Healthy mushroom compounds have been shown to lower cholesterol and slow tumor growth associated with some cancers, according to the American Cancer Society. Mushrooms also increase your body’s circulating levels of proteins called interferon, which stop viruses like hepatitis from advancing. They’re also a great, low-calorie stand-in for meat. Whether you plan to gobble shiitakes or white buttons, just make sure you cook them first; their dense cell walls are nearly indigestible if eaten raw.

Much like its sibling seed, flax, chia seeds are great sources of protein, omega-3s, and fiber. They also contain good amounts of healthy antioxidants, as well as calcium, zinc, magnesium, and iron—all important for your health. Some studies have also indicated chia might help you lose weight by controlling your hunger levels. Toss a small handful into smoothies or baked goods, or use them as a healthful topping on salads or yogurt. (Here are our three top chia seed brand picks.)

It may not be a trendy superfood, but a 4-oz serving of this low-cal staple contains nearly half of your daily protein. Chicken breasts are a great source of phosphorous—important for strong bones and teeth—as well as vitamin B3 (aka niacin), which helps control high blood pressure and prevents hardening of the arteries. One serving also contains 25% of the vitamin B6 you need each day to maintain proper brain and immune system function.

As vegetables go, leafy greens—especially the dark-green kind—tend to top health experts' lists. And, along with spinach, kale is at the top of the dark-and-leafy-green heap. Bursting with vitamins A, K, and C, kale is also a great source of calcium, iron, magnesium, and potassium. Whether you toss it into soups, smoothies, or salads, gobble as much of this stuff as you can every day.

Along with its impressive concentrations of vitamin C, lemon’s flavonoid compounds have been shown to have anti-cancer properties. But lemons may be healthiest in a supporting role: Add a little to your tea, and your body will absorb more of the drink’s healthy antioxidants, finds research from Purdue University. You can even reduce the appearance of age spots by plopping a lemon wedge on them 10 minutes a day for 12 weeks.

Loaded with vitamin C, oranges are also solid sources of folate—important for cell maintenance and repair. They contain potassium and vitamins B1 and A, which are essential for vision and immune function. And the pectin in oranges absorbs unhealthy cholesterol from the other foods you eat, and so keeps the bad stuff out of your system. Pectin also neutralizes a harmful protein called galectin-3 that causes tissue scarring in your heart, shows UK research. (Try these 7 citrus recipes you'll love.)

Sweet potatoes get all the press. And while they do contain more beta carotene, russet (or baking) potatoes win out when it comes to folate, niacin, potassium, and also phosphorous—a mineral important for strong bones. Russet potatoes are also much lower in sugar and sodium than their sweet relatives. Try substituting healthy Greek yogurt for sour cream when baking or mashing; you’ll be shocked how similar the two taste.

Quinoa makes every list of superfoods for good reason: It’s packed with “complete” protein—the type that contains all 9 of the essential amino acids your body needs. (Many vegetables are incomplete protein sources.) It’s also solid on fiber to aid your digestion, and is practically multivitamin-heavy when it comes to nutrients like iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium, and folate. Try it as a dinner side or in place of meat in dishes like stuffed peppers. (For more ideas, take a look at these 6 delicious quinoa recipes.)

Its antioxidants are linked to lower cholesterol levels and healthier blood vessels—both of which improve heart health. And the wine compound resveratrol—more abundant in reds than in whites—has been shown to block the growth of fat cells, regulate blood sugar, and ward of depression. But drink in moderation: While a glass or two a couple days a week is life-extending, daily sipping ups your risk for early death, shows a study from Virginia Tech.

Like most orange vegetables, pumpkins are crammed with beta carotene, which your body naturally converts to vitamin A, also known as retinol. That’s a good thing, because retinol is important for healthy skin and mucous membranes, as well as immune function and vision. Pumpkin seeds also contain protective compounds called phytosterols, which may help combat an enlarged prostate. The seeds are great lightly salted and roasted, and pumpkin flesh is delicious in everything from pancakes to smoothies (and these 20 perfect pumpkin recipes prove it!).

Women who eat lentils at least twice a week are 24% less likely to develop breast cancer than women who eat them less than once a month, studies show. Lentils keep blood sugar steady, and just a quarter cup of these miniature legumes provides 13 g of protein, 11 g of fiber, and 5 mg of iron. They’ve also been shown to ward off hypertension. Try them in soups or salads, or as a tasty side.

Too often associated with childhood dinner-table standoffs, these cruciferous vegetables feature sulfur compounds called glucosinolates, shown to help lower your risk for several types of cancer, according to research from Oregon State University. Loaded with iron and potassium, a cup of Brussels sprouts also features 54 mcg of folate—about 14% of your 400-mcg recommended daily allowance. Slice them in half and sauté them in salt, pepper, and garlic to enliven their natural flavor.

This whole grain is popular in the Middle East, and it’s about time America caught on. Bulgur contains a metabolite called betaine, which can tamp down unhealthy levels of inflammation. One cup of cooked bulgur contains 8.2 g of fiber—nearly 33% of your daily requirement. It also provides more than half of your daily target for manganese, a mineral important for brain and nerve function. Mix it with beans to form a healthier veggie burger.

They’re cheap, portable, and among the best sources of heart-healthy omega-3s. In fact, women who regularly eat the type of long-chain fats found in sardines enjoy a 38% drop in ischemic heart disease risk, according to a Danish study. Long-chain omega-3s have also been shown to limit inflammation and slow tumor growth. The miniscule fish is a phenomenal source of vitamin B12, which helps your body make DNA while keeping your nerve and blood cells healthy.

Kefir is a fermented milk drink that's chock full of probiotics—healthy bacteria that help your immune and digestive systems function properly. Probiotics like those found in kefir also limit the presence of harmful microbes called candida, which can cause stomach cramping and skin issues like rashes or break outs, research has shown. Great in smoothies or on its own, look for plain kefir, which contains fewer calories and sugar than the flavored varieties.

They’re champs when it comes to polyphenols and flavonoids, both linked to lower oxidative stress and reduced cancer risk. An onion’s sulfur compounds help control diabetes symptoms and protect your heart from disease. And the chromium found in onions has been shown to regulate blood sugar. Tip: the outermost layers tend to hold more healthy nutrients.

Green tea’s antioxidant compounds have been linked to slower cancer growth, improved blood flow, weight loss, improved liver function, and reduced rates of brain diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. But black tea's no slouch in the health department either; it's been shown to reduce stroke risk and lung damage from smoking. There’s plenty of debate over how much you have to drink to experience the most benefit. But whether you knock back a cup a week or several a day, you’re doing your body a favor. (Savor each sip with these 15 fall teas we love.)

While researchers are still trying to figure out what it is about coffee that’s healthful (the caffeine? the antioxidants?), there’s little doubt your body benefits from joe. A massive National Cancer Institute study found women who drink 2 to 3 cups per day enjoy a 13% drop in mortality risk. Daily consumption has also been linked to reduced risk for diabetes, skin cancer, dementia, and Alzheimer’s. Regular is healthier than decaf, studies have found.

Just 1 cup contains nearly half your daily manganese—important for brain and nerve function, as well as bone and joint health. Raspberries are high in fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants, and low in carbohydrates. And the phytonutrients found in raspberries may help slow or reduce the growth of cancer cells, newer research suggests. If you can, buy organic raspberries; USDA research shows the fruit is one of the most commonly contaminated with pesticides.

Low in fat and high in fiber, brown rice is also a rich source of selenium—a trace element essential for thyroid metabolism, DNA health, and proper immune system function, according to the NIH. One cooked cup contains more than 27% of your daily selenium needs. Brown rice is also a good source of manganese and niacin, which are both important for brain and heart health. Swap in brown rice for white, and you’ll do your health a big favor.